TURUA RATEPAYERS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4622, 7 November 1923, Page 3

TURUA RATEPAYERS.

MEETING OF ASSOCIATION. The monthly meeting of the Turua Ratepayers’ Association and Citizens’ League was held in the Turua Buildings on Monday evening, Mr P. R. Henry presiding over an attendance of about a dozen members. STOCK INSPECTOR’S TELEPHONE. Mr T. W, Rhodes, M.P., Thames, wrote stating .that he had pleasure in advising that in response to his representations the Hon. Minister of Agriculture had authorised th® office of the stock inspector at Thamesl being connected by telephone. The secretary stated that the association had been., pushing in the matter. for six months. It was decided, on the motion of Mr D. G. McMillan seconded by Mr H. C. Luke, that Mr Rhodes be thanked <for his efforts., WANDERING STOCK. The Plains county clerk wrote ad- ~ vising that the request of the association that the inspector be asked to prosecute owners of stock wandering on t,he streets had been agreed to by the Council. - members pointed out ' that the ranger had bee'n-very active in the town area lately. Mr W. Madgwick asked whether the association still desired a public pound in Turua. Several members spoke in. favour of the pound, and it was decided that Or Madgwick be asked t,o push on the matter. KOPU WHARF. Mr D. G. McMillan said that the Harbour Board had discussed the landing facilities, at Kopu and was agreeable to the work going ahead. The’ engineer had been instructed to prepare plans and specifications. It would be advisable to leave the matter at that. ; BEAUTIFYING THE TOWN. . Mr P. R. Henry said that 35s had been raised as a nucleus of a fund, to beautify the water front. It had been suggested that trees be ; planted. ■ Mr R. W. Bagnall said that at present- he could noti make a statement. He would like to see the work gone on with, and would endeavour to get his directors to agree to vesting the foreshore in the people of Turua to be beautified as suggested; < fir reply to Mr H. E. Luke Mr Bagnaif said that in the event of his directors not agreeing to vest the land in the public he was sure that they, would not object to the land being beautified. He would, leave the questioiFof the control of the area to the people of the district; It was for them to decide whether a beautifying society should be formed or. thatj the/control should be granted to, the Town Board. ■ The question of the handling, of. the mjnjey raised was discussed, t Mr MeMillan suggested that a sub-commit-be appointed to control the: matter. Several speakers ..sup-' f ported, and finally' it was - agreed' < that?iMessrs P. R. Henry, G. Walker,. anl4j. L. Brownlee control the. funds and’i take action to ■ ftrrther • the scheme. SHIPPING FACILITIES. Tie ’ manager, Northern Steamship Co./Auckland, wrote acknowledging receipt of the association’s letter, fjfe s tated that he could not agree with the'statement that the time-table was run irFegularly. Some time ago the, <>il-pow'ered. ; vessel. was not keeping to the 'time-table, but outside excep-tionally-had. weather she was now running according to the. time-tablp issued. It was the company’s intention to run the oil-driven vessel only during the winter, when ■ trade was tlack. During the summer months ihe'- steamer would? take up the ;running. There was not sufficient trade to warrant a twice weekly service at present. . Suitable arrangements to lift produce from the cheese factories by jthe Paeroa boat were, usually made with the factory managers. He noted that, the association was endeavouring to get the Thames Harbour Board to appoint a permanent wharfinger, and he supported the move provided that the. Harbour Board was willing to bear the expense. The company was prepared to do anything to further the movement, but doubted whether there was sufficient trade to warrant the appointment. Mr Truelove pointed out that cargo was often left behind owing to there not being sufficient space available on the boat. Mr J. T. Davies stated that at times there was'a great deal of cargo for the port. The company had written many times to his firm in the same strain, whep approached by them, as to the association. Mr W. Madgwick said that the company had also written in the same manner to the local committee of the N.Z Co-op. Dairy ; Company. Mr R. W. Bagnall said that there was no doubt that; the , boat was unsuitable. The trouble was’that there was no competition. It was . for the association to agitate, agitate, and still agitate. In his opinion the company’s charges were ridiculous. The return fare from Turua to Auckland . was 255, and from Paeroa to Auckland 235.. Muteh discussion ejnsued, during which it was stated that the single fare from Paeroa to Turua was 5s 6d. Mr R. W. Bagnall said that if the district was committee should be appointed to wait upon the company. If a satisfactory reply was not received the committee should he empowered to make inquiries for an- 1 other boat * Mr D. G. McMillan said that if’ " there were good roads there was no doubt; that the trade of the place would go by the other river, where freights were about half. Mr'Madgwick, moved that’a strong .deputation, comprising representatives of the two. dairy factories, the business 7 people,?and;the local bodies, be 'appointed to wait;, upon the company in AuckliWid.. 1 ! Mr S. W. Bagnall ’seconded and the motion was carried unanimously. It was decided that the two dairy companies be asked to nominate representatives to act‘with Messrsl PR. Henry, on behalf of the association,

and Mr R. W. Bagnall, on behalf of the tradespeople. AN AMBULANCE Mr F. Beck brought up the matter of a hand ambulance for the township. He stated that this was very badly needed, and the absence of an ambulance was a disgrace to the place. Hi suggested that a subscription list, be circulated. Mr Henry suppprted the suggestion, and advocated obtaining an army stretcher. He also suggested asking the Thames Hospital Board to provide a stretcher at Turua. He stated that a stretcher to fit the hospital ambulance should be obtained. He moved in that direction. Mr Madgwick seconded, and the motion was carried. DENTAL SERVICE. Mr Madgwick said that a move should be made to get a dentist to come to Turua. At present it w*as a cpstly matter to obtain dental service. There was ample business on the Plains to warrant a man starting. He moved, and Mr Truelove seconded, that the deputation that was to go to Auckland on the shipping business interview the Dental Association and endeavour to induce a man to come to Turua. —Carried. STREET LIGHTING. Mr Luke asked when the extra street lights would be installed in tho townsihip. Mr Beck said that the Power Board was waiting for material to arrive.